The Story of Kristang: Past Glories and Present Struggles

What is Kristang and where did it come from? Is it still spoken anywhere? Why is it known by many names? Dr Bruce M. Lockhart from the National University of Singapore, together with Kristang researchers and speakers Alan Norman Baxter and Stefanie Pillai, and Kristang writer and poet Joan Margaret Marbeck will provide a vivid and exciting introduction to the language of the Portuguese-Eurasians, its history, and its current status.

1130–1230

The Future of Kristang: Dreams and Awakenings

What is going to happen to Kristang in the near future? Are children learning it? What can you do to get involved? Sara Santa Maria, teacher of Kristang in the Portuguese Settlement in Malacca, Kevin Martens Wong from the Kodrah Kristang revitalisation initiative in Singapore, and Elisabela Larrea, researcher of Macanese Creole theatre, will talk about linguistic revitalisation and how they are reviving Kristang in Singapore and Malaysia, and Maquísta in Macau.

1330–1500

Language Documentation for Beginners

Hosts: Dr Michael Yoshitaka Erlewine, Dr Mário Pinharanda Nunes

Venue: Discovery Room, Asian Civilisations Museum

What kinds of fieldwork are being done on languages? How do linguists document languages? Field linguists Dr Michael Erlewine and Dr Mário Pinharanda Nunes will take participants through the basics of documenting and preserving endangered languages like Kristang and Kristang’s sister creole in Macau, Maquísta.

This would be of special interest to those with some knowledge of Kristang, though this is not a pre-requisite.

1500–1600

Eurasian Food for Beginners

Host: Mary Gomes

Venue: Discovery Room, Asian Civilisations Museum

Love pang susi, sehbak, kari debal and other tasty Kristang delectables? Tickle your tastebuds with chef and owner of Mary’s Kafe, Mary Gomes as she teaches you how to prepare versions of sehbak and pang susi made with chicken!

0930–1030

The Southern Islands Board Game Competition

Join us for the first ever Southern Islands board game competition, with representatives from Singapore schools and Kodrah Kristang classes fighting for the favour of the Temenggong!

Ila-Ila di Sul(Southern Islands) is a professionally-designed, bilingual English-Kristang, treasure-seeking board game first developed for Kodrah Kristang classes. It will be launched by Mr Teo Chee Hean, Singapore’s Deputy Prime Minister, at the Festival Gala Dinner on 20 May 2017.

0930–1100

Forum: How Eurasian is Kristang?

Panelists: Benett Theseira, Lala Gwen Thomas, Sean O’Hara

Venue: Ngee Ann Auditorium, Asian Civilisations Museum

Not every Eurasian knows how to make sugee cake or wants to learn Papia Kristang: Why? Why do some Eurasians have Portuguese, Dutch and British heritage? What are new Eurasians? What does it mean to be Portuguese? Explore the rich and diverse strands of the Eurasian community in a forum specifically dedicated to understanding the vibrant and varied histories of Singapore’s Eurasians.

1100–1230

Languages of Singapore Trail

Venue: River Room, Asian Civilisations Museum

The Languages of Singapore Trail seeks to provide you with the opportunity to learn a little of Singapore’s many diverse languages and dialects — we’re featuring more than 10! Each language will be represented by a handful of speakers at a table and participants can go from table to table to learn from hosts and hear their stories.

Don’t know which language to start with? Don’t panic, we will have an activity book to help plan your way around the tables. Trace the journeys of our ancestors as they made their way to our island home while learning about the languages they brought with them.

1100–1230

Eurasian Stories: Conversations about being Eurasian

Venue: Discovery Room, Asian Civilisations Museum

Eurasian Stories: Conversations about being Eurasian seeks to provide a safe space for conversations about what it means to be Kristang and/or Eurasian in Singapore. It will play home to human ‘Books’ — actual Eurasians from a wide variety of backgrounds — whom participants will be able to loan out for up to half an hour of small-group conversation facilitated by a Librarian, who is there to ensure the safety and well-being of the Books. We will be featuring the following identities: Thai Eurasian, Eurasian National Serviceman, Eurasian Daughter, Eurasian Telephonist, Eurasian Musician in the Public Spotlight, Eurasian Muslim, Eurasian Environmentalist, Eurasian Actress, Eurasian Artist with a Medical Condition, Eurasian Athlete, Eurasian Teacher, Glocal Eurasian, and East Coast Eurasian. Registration required.

This event was inspired by the Human Library movement, which began in Copenhagen in 2000 and seeks to facilitate sharing and conversation between people from all walks of life, and work toward countering negative stereotypes and prejudices about minority communities that abound in society today.

1400–1500

Minority Languages in Singapore: Challenges and New Horizons

Panelists: Dr Chua Ai Lin, Dr Nala Huiying Lee, Dr Ritu Jain

Venue: Ngee Ann Auditorium, Asian Civilisations Museum

What can be done for minority languages like Kristang in Singapore? How have other minority language communities successfully preserved and revitalised their own languages, heritage and traditions in the Lion City? Panellists Dr Ritu Jain, Dr Chua Ai Lin and Dr Nala Huiying Lee will examine these and other obstacles and new directions for minority languages in Singapore.